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Noah, Daniel & Job

Why does God single out these three men: Noah, Daniel and Job?

Ezekiel 14:12-20

  1. The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
  2. Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it:
  3. Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.
  4. If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts:
  5. Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate.
  6. Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it:
  7. Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.
  8. Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast:
  9. Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

First some background thoughts. Just before this God says through Ezekiel that he will punish Israel so that they "may go no more astray from [Him], neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be [His] people, and [He] may be their God" (Ezekiel 14:11). Unlike us who might punish someone in order to get even, God disciplines those who He loves (Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6, Revelation 3:19). While the following truth does not often seem like a reality to us, God knows that we are eternal beings who are destined for hell if we don't turn to Him. As such, should be be hard of hearing his call on our lives, he may very well allow hardship to jolt us into a reality check. As an aside, it is really sad to read that at the end of time, when God pours out his judgement on the earth, rather than repent and call on Him,  people "[blaspheme]the name of God" (Revelation 16:9).

Back to my opening question. Let's look at each person.

Noah (2948 BC)

  • Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.  (Gen 6:8)
  • By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.  (Heb 11:7)

Daniel (604BC - 504BC)

  • But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank (Dan 1:8)
  • Set his heart to understand (Dan 10:12)
  • He was wise (Ezek 28:3)

Job (1650 BC-1500 BC)

  • There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. And that man was perfect and upright, and one who feared God and turned aside from evil (Job 1:1)
  • ... there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turns away from evil (Job 1:8)
  • Patient (Jam 5:12)

There is so much that can be said about these three hero's of the Faith but in short God was the center of their lives and it was Him that they served and obeyed and Him alone. They served God even though it looked like it would be their undoing, result in their demise or see them rejected by those around them. What I really find challenging is that people have lived who found grace in the eyes of God, fled from evil (were not defiled) and were perfect and upright before God. Not only did they exist but they lived as such long before being able to experience the wonderful born-again conversion. How much more should we (who are no called the sons of God) be able to live us such today. Being born-again and fill of the Holy Ghost, we are without excuse.

In the context of these verses however, according to Wesely, the reason why these three were chosen was "Noah - Who 'tis probable prevailed with God to spare the world for some years, and saved his near relations when the flood came. Daniel - Who prevailed for the life of the wise men of Chaldea. Job - Who daily offered sacrifice for his children, and at last reconciled God to those that had offended" (Wesley commentary from e-sword). It would thus appear that their crowning glory was that when it came to other people, that they had the same heart as their God i.e. "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pe 3:9). Do I have a similar heart? Do I, like Christ, weep for the lost (Lu 19:41)?

At the end of the day may I flee evil and simply serve my Lord with all that I am knowing that in Him I am not only a new creation (2 Cor 5:17)  and accepted in the beloved  (Eph 1:6) but that in the midst of any resulting tribulation that He can and will use me to bring glory and honor to His name. 

Oh Lord, may my eyes and heart stay fixed on you and as well as focused on Glory!

* Dates from http://agards-bible-timeline.com.

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